Are music students being taught knowledge that they can then put to use in the first steps of their careers?
University music students learn a wide range of skills that help prepare them for a career in music. A large focus of these programs is on the artistry, musicianship, theory, writing, arranging, and performance technique needed to be a musician. In addition, most music programs today also require a significant music business component, but what about the practical knowledge a musician needs at the grassroots level to be able to succeed and work?
Though there are many opinions on what crucial skills a musician should have, most people would agree on a small core group of auxiliary skills that would allow for a young musician to confidently take the first steps into their career. These include: 1) Marketing, 2) Live Sound, and 3) Demo Recording.
1). Marketing
In todays digital world, there are many platforms to market yourself as an artist – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Soundcloud – the list goes on. Many students today are actively using these platforms in their daily lives, so quite often they don’t need extensive training on the various functions of these sites. However, using and creating more traditional forms of marketing such as posters, flyers, and promotional photos, can be very foreign.
Having a basic understanding of graphic design programs can be an invaluable tool for a musician. Additionally, generating media assets for upcoming gigs or releases, and being able to use them as both print and digital media, is extremely important in gaining the attention of a potential audience.
Another component of meaningful content an artist can offer their audience via social media platforms like YouTube is some kind of music video or video representation of their work, such as the popular lyric video. With some basic knowledge on how to use film-editing software such as iMovie or Final Cut, a musician can generate high quality video footage for little to no cost.
The goal of having basic skills in graphic design and video editing is to be able to create cost effective, quality content without having to pay others to do it. When combined with social media, this content is an important and powerful step in attracting an audience and can also be used to attract other industry contacts such as booking agents, managers, and A&R reps.
2). Live Sound
Musicians need to know how to set up and run a basic PA system. Knowing the language that is used, including the names of the various types of cables and microphones, can save a lot of confusion when working with a venue. Additionally, understanding the basic concepts of EQ’s and compressors can lead to a higher quality sound for the gig.
A musician has to work to achieve the best quality performance they can with the equipment at their disposal. They may find themselves working within the parameters of a limited PA system, and will need to know how to maximize the performance environment. As their career progresses, they may have the opportunity to perform on stages run by a sound engineer. Having had the experience of running their own sound, it will be far easier to work with sound engineers. Knowing how to build an accurate input list for a sound engineer is also a great skill to have, as this skill can streamline pre-production and make sure sound checks are as efficient as possible.
3). Demo Recording
Although the equipment used to record has changed in recent years, recording a demo has always been an important skill for a musician to hold. Recording software and equipment has become extremely affordable and there are many options for interfaces, microphones, headphones and speakers that can fit within any budget.
Knowing how to properly record a musical idea or demo is vital. Firstly, it allows the artist to build and develop their recording projects in a cost effective way. It’s also another way for the artist to offer an audience content and make their fans feel like they are part of the creative process. The basics of sound can be applied to both studio and live scenarios, so a working knowledge of microphones, EQ, compression, and mixing concepts is extremely important for both artistic and technical development.
Conclusion
In addition to developing the artistry of musicians, by providing a basic working knowledge of marketing, live sound, and demo recording, universities have the opportunity to maximize the potential for their students to generate employment and income even in the earliest stages of their careers. They will financially benefit by saving on costs, and knowledge of these basic skills will create musicians who are ready to work in any environment they may find themselves.